By Anne Levin

Following a review by Princeton’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) that stretched into two sessions last week, Hillier Properties LLC was given approval to take its application for restorations and construction of several properties in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood to the next step.

The proposal will go in front of the Planning Board at a Zoom meeting on Thursday, January 23 at 7 p.m., where there will be an opportunity for more public comment.

Witherspoon Hall was nearly two thirds full at the initial HPC meeting on January 8. Architect J. Robert Hillier, publisher of Town Topics newspaper, gave an overview of the project, which involves the restoration of several houses and other buildings he owns — 15 on Witherspoon Street and one on Quarry Street — and construction of new buildings behind them. The goal is to preserve the architectural character of the existing buildings; the newer structures, which will contain apartments, would be in a more contemporary style.

“We were told it would save money to tear all the [houses] down and start over,” said Hillier. “But we don’t want to do that, because there is history there.” The renovations and new construction, which will result in 74 units, are to provide studio apartments that would be affordable to the “missing middle,” he said.

Elizabeth Kim, Princeton’s Historic Preservation Officer, praised the architecture firm for its years of work researching and preparing the proposal. But she asked if some of the new construction could be brought down in height. That sentiment was echoed by some members of the public, particularly the architects Annabelle Radcliffe-Trenner and Areta Pawlynsky.

Aubrey Haines, who manages five buildings in the area, said he understood the concerns about massing. “But the buildings in the back are what pay for the buildings in front,” he said. “This is a tremendous community service and I’m fully in support of it.”

At both meetings, Maria Juega questioned what will happen to those who are currently living in the existing houses — many of whom are said to be sleeping on floors in overcrowded conditions. Hillier said he has met with the tenants to come up with a plan, and is providing funds to enable it.

Others asked why the new apartments will be studios, since many of those living in the area are families with children. “This looks like migrant worker housing and we need family housing,” one man commented.

HPC member Elric Endersby said he had his doubts, at first, about the proposal. But he has come to admire it. “This is a well-considered attempt to increase the capacity of the neighborhood without destroying its essential character,” he said.

At the conclusion of the second meeting on January 9, the HPC voted to send a letter of endorsement for the project to the Planning Board, along with Kim’s recommendations. Included among them are a review of the massing of the new buildings, especially in relation to the side streets; consideration of reducing the ceiling height in the new residential buildings; and a review of the structural reports to make sure the proposed demolitions meet the standards of the housing overlay zone (AHO-7).

Also recommended are coordination with a subcommittee of the HPC consisting of Endersby and Charlotte Friedman, and consultation with the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society regarding the proposed naming of buildings in the area after prominent residents, past and present.